The utilities and other members took exception to the chamber’s call to put climate science on trial, similar to the Scopes Monkey Trial of the 20th century over the teaching of evolution in schools. The chamber later backpedaled, calling the analogy “inappropriate.”

The chamber has also received criticism from other members, such as Johnson and Johnson and Nike, which said last week, “It is not a time for debate but instead a time for action and we believe the chamber’s recent petition sets back important work currently being undertaken by EPA on this issue.”

“If Congress does not act, the EPA will, and the result will be more arbitrary, more expensive, and more uncertain for investors and the industry than a reasonable, market-based legislative solution,” he said.

Rowe called for a greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program, the cornerstone of the America Clean Energy and Security Act climate legislation working its way through Congress.

“The carbon-based free lunch is over,” Rowe said. “But while we can’t fix our climate problems for free, the price signal sent through a cap-and-trade system will drive low-carbon investments in the most inexpensive and efficient way possible. Putting a price on carbon is essential, because it will force us to do the cheapest things, like energy efficiency, first.”

Leading the helm at the chamber is Tom Donahue, who has for the last 11 years also served as a member of the board of directors of Union Pacific Railroad, a large coal hauler. According to Pete Altman of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Union Pacific is charged with carrying coal from mines to power plants, such as Wyoming's Powder River Basin, which reportedly produces between 20 percent and 40 percent of the coal produced in the U.S.

Since 1998, Donahue has earned $1.13 million in Union Pacific compensation, in addition to more than 43,000 shares of company stock. Upon leaving the board, Donahue would receive nearly 20,000 more shares of company stock, putting the value of the package at more than $3.8 million based on today's share prices.